Wash-board



(No Model.)

v E. L. PRIDHAM.

WASH BOARD. v I

Patented Mar. 2, 18863.v

WITNESSES W 4 Attorney N. PET ERS. Plmtu-Limo m her, Washington. 0. C

NITED STATES Y ATENT OFFICE.

WASH-BOARD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 337,349, dated March 2,1886.

Application filed October 22, 1885. Serial No. 180,584. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EMMA L. PRIDHAM, a citizen of the United States,residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inWash-Boards, of which the following is a specification, reference beinghad therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to improvements in wash boards, and is designed,primarily, to lessen the labor attending the operation incident towashing clothes. Since this labor is performed by women, and they, bytheirpeculiar physical constitution, are especially susceptible toinjury from the difficulty and strain of the work, this invention wasconceived with the idea in view that a device should be pro duced thatshould reduce the said labor to a minimum without in the least impairingthe efficiency, but rather increasing the same; Such a device is shownin the annexed drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a vertical sectionof the device; Fig. 2, a partial rear view, and Fig. 3 a cross-section.

The sides A of the board are of peculiar shape, as will be seen fromFig. 1. At a point near the lower portion of the side the said side iswide, and from this point tapers in both directionsthat is, the lowertaper forms the leg and the upper taper the main portion of the side.From one side to the other extends the back B, parallel to the upper ormain taper, and at a sufficient distance from the edge of the same toreceive and support the brushblock 0, containing the bristles D, flushwith the surface of said taper edge. This construction raises the saidbristles above the surface of the board proper. The widening of thesides of the board allows the placing of the rubbing-surface at such anangle as to relieve the strain, discomfort, and injury of the stoopingposition assumed in washing.

Experiment has proved that the bringing forward of the lower part of thebrush-block five-eighths of an inch produces very satisfactory resultsin this direction, producing comfort where before was discomfort andinjury. The bristles elevate the clothes above the surface of the block,and hence prevent them from coming in contact with the dirty water thatflows from them and again enters the tub.

A back piece, E, attached to the back of the upper portion of the sidesand extending a short distance below the upper edge of main back B,directs the flow of any water that may pass above the upper edge 'of thesaid piece B, and also serves the function of a soap-holder.

Hinged to the upper end of the board proper is a flap or splash-board,F, having an eye for the reception of the hook G on the back of theboard. When in use this flap 6 is hooked, and is then in the positionshown in Fig. l, at right angles to the board, and thus protecting theperson working from the splashes of water that fly upward.

To the back B are attached the springs H, 0 consisting each of aspring-strip secured at the lower end, and being at the sides of theboard. The free ends are coincident with elastic, buffers I on the pieceE. This construction gives a uniform yield to the board when in use andthe pressure incident to Wash ing is employed.

It will be seen from Fig. 3 that there is a space (designated by K) oneach side of the brush-block. This space allows for the expansion andcontraction of the said block when wet and when drying, and thuspreventing the warping or twisting of the same.

I am aware that bristle brushes for a rubbing-surface andspring-supporting bearings are not broadly new in wash-boards, and

hence do not wish to be considered as broadly claiming the same.

An additional function of the splash-board is to support the body duringthe use of the 0 wash-board, it adding great-comfort to the operation,as the strain on the back is thus relieved.

I claim A wash-board consisting of a brush-block set at an angle to thelength of the frame, and provided with expansion-spaces on each side, asplash-board hinged to the top of said board, and spring-strips securedat their lower ends to the back of the board, and at their upper [00ends coincident with elastic buffers on the back, substantially asspecified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EMMA L. PRIDHAM.

Witnesses:

GEO. A. PRIDHAM, WILLIAM T. GABELL.

